Households south of the county border will see their council tax bills increase after Mid Suffolk Council agreed a two per cent rise from April, equivalent to £3.26 for a Band D property.

The increase comes as Mid Suffolk sees its core Revenue Support Grant from central government fall to zero, down from £2.3m four years ago.

The council said measures to protect vulnerable residents include no change in the council tax reduction scheme that will see the poorest residents pay just five per cent of their bill and a one per cent decrease in council house rents.

Cllr John Whitehead, cabinet member for finance, said: 'The hard choices and difficult decisions we have taken over recent years – to reorganise our management structure and office locations and to establish and then build on our investments in a number of income-generating streams - have enabled us to propose a 2019/20 budget which protects and, in many cases, enhances our front-line services with only a modest increase in council tax.'

South Norfolk Council has already approved the rise for its share of the council tax bill, which means Band D properties will see a rise from £145 to £150 for the 2019/20 year. It is the second year that the district has increased council tax by £5.

Diss Town Council has raised its share of council tax by 8.83pc citing taking over responsibility for street lights and public toilets and the loss of a government grant.

Householders will be asked to contribute the same as last year towards Harleston's facilities and services, after Redenhall with Harleston Town Council voted to keep its council tax precept unchanged.